The long running Craig Levein v Steven Fletcher stand off has been the most infuriatingly pointless example of ludicrous bloody mindedness since two bald men knocked lumps out of each other over the ownership of a comb.

Then bit their own noses off as a diversionary tactic.

Eventually, out of utter despair, comes the realisation that no amount of well meaning intervention will do. It’s simpler just to wash the hands of them and leave them to it.

So 11am yesterday morning was quite literally one of those “where were you?” moments when, without warning, came the news that Scotland’s manager and its most expensive export had finally seen sense and buried the hatchet in the name of the greater good.

Certainly, there was a heady mixture of delight and disbelief inside Hampden as Levein sat down to brief the nation on the overnight development. He had in his hand a piece of paper, listing the names of the 25 players who he believes can solve our World Cup crisis.

Fletcher’s was one of them. At last, peace in our time.

Stephen Fletcher shows his quality as he rattles home Sunderland's opener

“The longer I thought about it, I thought we were in a situation where nobody was winning,” Levein conceded albeit a little too belatedly to alter the fact that, without Fletcher’s expert finishing, Scotland most certainly did not win in either of their Group A openers against Serbia or Macedonia.

Only now – and possibly only BECAUSE of those four dropped points at Hampden – has the manager seen sense and been prepared to be the bigger man.

He continued: “So I bit the bullet, phoned him and had a chat and everything is resolved.

“I felt it was the right thing. It had gone on for so long that, once I got an indication he was ready to have a chat and he wanted to play, I had to phone him. If I didn’t then we’d be back in the same old position. I thought I will take the bull by the horns and get it done.

“He couldn’t have been more receptive, he was great. In all honesty, Steven would have been sick of the whole thing as well.

“It’s good to get him back on board. It was becoming a sideshow and it was difficult to ignore, so I’m really pleased to get him back. I will try to catch up with him later this week. We had a phone call on Monday evening and it was very positive.”

But, while the manager was going all Neville Chamberlain, it’s just a pity there wasn’t also an outbreak of Commons sense inside the national stadium.

Because while a humbled looking Levein swallowed his own pride, bit the bullet and took the bull by the horns - all those phrases were used at some point yesterday to explain his sudden U-turn over the most prolific Scottish player in England – there was no place in his group for the best current Scottish player in Scotland.

Which means that while one door was opening, another was simultaneously being slammed shut in Kris Commons’ face.

This pair have hardly spoken for over a year since the Celtic attacker booked up for Las Vegas rather than keep his diary free to attend a fairly farcical end of season Carling Cup competition in Dublin.

And not even his blisteringly hot return to form has thawed the ice.

Yet while Commons could be out in the cold for the foreseeable future, Levein seemed determined to stress that he had learned his lessons over the Fletcher affair.

In a very self deprecating tone Levein looked almost embarrassed as he said: “The important thing is not to go over old ground. We had a chat briefly about what had happened and making sure the lines of communication don’t get to that point again.

“It’s important that we’re very open. This happened because he was unhappy about not getting selected...and I was unhappy because he was unhappy!

“The important thing is he is back in the squad and he is available to help us in these next two games which are massive.

“I had a long think about things on Monday. I got to the point on Monday that, rather than wait and see who blinks first, I will take the bull by the horns and get it done.”

Levein stressed also that, during those talks, the prospect of Fletcher being left on the bench was aired and mulled over. Assurances, he says, have been given that Fletcher will not be so quick to throw a hissy fit should the manager leave him out of his starting XI in Cardiff or Brussels, as unlikely as it seems.

Scotland coach Craig Levein

He said: “I’ve had that discussion. He is in the squad and he will play on merit, just like everybody else. It’s a thrill for me to get somebody of his quality into the squad in an area where we don’t have real strength and depth.”

Which makes you wonder why he didn’t do this a long time ago. In fact, deep down Levein may be asking himself the same question. Amongst others.

Was it only two years ago, for example, that he said Fletcher did not have the necessary attributes to play the lone striker role? Isn’t that a bit daft now Martin O’Neill has shelled out £14m for Fletcher to fill precisely that position at Sunderland? And now that Fletcher has netted five goals in his first four games?

Again, a contrite Levein smiled as he said: “He’s been scoring goals in the Premier League every week since I left him out! It’s been an issue ever since then.

“Look, he’s matured and he’s strengthened up. He’s definitely a far stronger player than he was a couple of years ago – and he’s a very confident boy as well. He scores goals, he had a £14m move – that gives players confidence.

“At the time I did what I thought was right thing. And now I’m doing what I think is the right thing. Have learned from it? Of course I have.”

And yet Levein’s steely stubborn streak has not yielded enough to allow him to let Commons back in at the same time.

Maybe that would be expecting too much, too soon.

At least the manager did go on record yesterday as saying there is no personality clash between him and the player – and no reason why Commons can’t force his way back in. Over time.

He said: “It’s difficult. Kris is doing well but sometimes it just comes down to loyalty. That becomes an important part as well.

“I’ve got players in there who have done well and who I think will continue to do well for us. If Kris just keeps plugging away, then the opportunity will be there for him.

“People look at it and say he should be in the squad. But I’ve got to look at it and say who am I going to leave out? I can assure you there are a lot of sleepless nights.”

Still, at least Fletcher is back in dark blue. And all of Scotland can sleep a little more easily as a result.